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Hossein Ronaghi, a civil rights activist in Iran, has been holding sit-ins across Tehran with his lips sewn shut in solidarity with the demands of Kianoush Sanjari, another outspoken government critic and former journalist who jumped to his death from a building earlier this month in protest against Iran’s authoritarian rulers. Ronaghi was once again arrested by agents of the Islamic Republic's intelligence forces on Sunday but was later released. He said he planned to hold another protest...

A new bipartisan bill introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate seeks to address the criminal activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran on U.S. territory. The draft bill proposes enhancing criminal penalties for individuals who engage in unlawful actions on behalf of the Iranian government or other adversaries of the United States. See the full story here.

VOA Russian's correspondent reports from Georgia, where the first session of the new parliament is meeting after the election won by the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party was boycotted by the opposition and met with street protests outside the parliament building. See the full story here.   

Alfonso Cuarón spoke with VOA at the 2024 Miami Film Festival, where the director won a lifetime achievement award from Miami Dade College for his contributions to cinema. He urged aspiring filmmakers to study the history of cinema and the development of film language. See the full story here.    

US stocks rose Monday, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way

Argentine artist Guillermina Grinbaum’s new exhibit in New York, “Hilo de Voz/Whispering Thread,” uses a range of creative materials and techniques, including painting, sculpture and interactive installations, to call attention to gender violence and human trafficking. See the full story here.

U.S. prosecutors on Monday asked a U.S. judge to drop the criminal cases accusing President-elect Donald Trump of seeking to overturn his 2020 election defeat and unlawfully withholding classified documents, citing his impending return to the presidency following his successful 2024 campaign. For analysis, we spoke with Professor Harold Krent from the Kent College of Law.

Several Chinese filmmakers won top prizes in Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Horse Awards on Saturday.  Some winning films that focus on sensitive topics like COVID-19 and LGBTQ issues are actually banned in China. See the full story here.      

Strikes carried out by Israel in recent weeks in Syria have significantly weakened Iranian-backed militant groups, though they continue to pose a threat, experts say

U.S. experts are casting doubt on the effectiveness of Russia's threat to expand the use of its new ballistic missile following publicly announced changes in Moscow's nuclear doctrine. VOA Russian and Ukrainian reporters spoke with experts, including Matthew Bunn, a nuclear weapons analyst and former scientific adviser in the Bill Clinton administration; John Erath, at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation; and John Hardy, a security expert at the Foundation for Defense of...

Qatar said earlier this month that Hamas political leaders have left its territory and several of them have gone to Turkey. That prompted protests last week from Washington, which warned the Turkish government not to give them sanctuary. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.

Namibia is preparing for its seventh presidential and National Assembly elections since gaining independence 34 years ago, with the ruling SWAPO Party facing potential shifts in support. Vitalio Angula reports.

Lebanon's deputy parliament speaker says US-proposed cease-fire requires Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Lebanese troop deployment within 60 days

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

Ethiopia and Somalia are at odds over a memorandum of understanding that Ethiopia and Somaliland signed in January 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon have a new administrator. Former lawmaker Lee Zeldin has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for that role.

FAfter the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions last year, fewer students are disclosing their race or ethnicity in applications to top colleges.  Writing in USA Today, Zachary Schermele notes that the data is preliminary, but it could signal a change in the way students are approaching college applications. (October 2024)   

Israeli government has faced criticism over its press freedom record since latest Israel-Hamas war began